Internet system for connecting client-travelers with geographically-associated data

Abstract

A multi-dimensional information repository storing data structures and tags associated with individual ones of the data structures. The data structures are tagged according to locations and defined regions relative to the surface of the Earth, and a data retrieval system retrieves information from the data structures according to location data accompanying requests for data. Data structures can also be tagged relative to time in addition to location and defined regions, and both tags can be used in retrieving data structures. A subscription server using the data repository can have a communication module for receiving data requests accompanied by location data and a code set for managing retrieval of information from the data repository. The subscription server can use the accompanying location data to determine a location in pre-defined regions, and use the pre-defined region information to retrieve information related to the pre-defined regions in response to the data requests.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of providing predictive advertising, the method comprising:
 receiving a first position of a portable computing device, the first position comprising a first longitude and a first latitude; 
 receiving a second position of the portable computing device comprising a second longitude and a second latitude, wherein the second longitude is different than the first longitude or the second latitude is different than the first latitude; 
 determining a prediction parameter comprising a movement direction or movement rate based on the first position and the second position; 
 predicting a third position where the portable computing device is going to be, wherein the third position is based on the received second position and the prediction parameter; 
 selecting an advertisement based on the prediction of where the portable computing device is going to be; and 
 providing a notification to a service provider within a specified threshold distance of the third position, the notification indicating a pending arrival of the portable computing device or of a user of the portable computing device. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  wherein the received first position or received the second position has been communicated through a cellular link. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1  wherein the received first position and the received second position were determined by the portable computing device using a GPS signal. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1  wherein the advertisement is further selected based on preferences of a user of the portable computing device. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1  wherein the advertisement is further selected based on an indication of an age, gender, education, or occupation of a user of the portable computing device. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1  wherein the advertisement provides an indication of a service available within a specified threshold distance of the third position. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1  wherein the advertisement provides an indication of a service related to the third position. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1  wherein the advertisement provides an indication of a service available within a specified threshold distance of the third position comprising one or more of: a restaurant location and availability of overnight accommodations. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1  wherein the advertisement provides an interface to make a reservation with the service provider. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 1  wherein the advertisement is for a service within a pre-defined range of the third position or within a pre-defined region also containing the third position. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the portable computing device is coupled to a delivery vehicle, and
 wherein the advertisement is transmitted to a second device other than the portable computing device and the transmitted advertisement provides an indication of the third position. 
 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 1  wherein selecting an advertisement, based on the prediction of where the portable computing device is going to be, is automatic. 
     
     
       13. A computer-readable memory storing instructions configured to, in response to being executed by a computing system, perform operations for providing predictive advertising, the operations comprising:
 receiving a first position of a portable computing device, the first position comprising a first longitude and a first latitude; 
 receiving a second position of the portable computing device comprising a second longitude and a second latitude, wherein the second longitude is different than the first longitude or the second latitude is different than the first latitude; 
 determining a prediction parameter comprising a movement direction or movement rate based on the first position and the second position; 
 predicting a third position where the portable computing device is going to be, wherein the third position is based on the received second position and the prediction parameter; 
 selecting an advertisement based on the prediction of where the portable computing device is going to be; and 
 providing a notification to a service provider within a specified threshold distance of the third position, the notification indicating a pending arrival of the portable computing device or of a user of the portable computing device. 
 
     
     
       14. The computer-readable memory of  claim 13  wherein the advertisement is further selected based on preferences of a user of the portable computing device. 
     
     
       15. The computer-readable memory of  claim 13  wherein the advertisement is further selected based on an indication of an age, gender, education, or occupation of a user of the portable computing device. 
     
     
       16. The computer-readable memory of  claim 13  wherein the advertisement provides an indication of a service available within a specified threshold distance of the third position. 
     
     
       17. The computer-readable memory of  claim 13 , wherein the portable computing device is coupled to a delivery vehicle, and
 wherein the advertisement is transmitted to a second device other than the portable computing device and the transmitted advertisement provides an indication of the third position. 
 
     
     
       18. The computer-readable memory of  claim 13  wherein the advertisement is for a service within a pre-defined range of the third position or within a pre-defined region also containing the third position. 
     
     
       19. A predictive advertising server comprising:
 a transceiver configured to:
 receive a first position of a portable computing device, the first position comprising a first longitude and a first latitude; and 
 receive a second position of the portable computing device comprising a second longitude and a second latitude, wherein the second longitude is different than the first longitude or the second latitude is different than the first latitude; and 
 
 a processor and circuitry configured to;
 determine a prediction parameter comprising a movement direction or movement rate based on the first position and the second position; 
 predict a third position where the portable computing device is going to be, wherein the third position is based on the received second position and the prediction parameter; and 
 select an advertisement based on the prediction of where the portable computing device is going to be; 
 
 
       wherein the transceiver is further configured to provide a notification to a service provider within a specified threshold distance of the third position, the notification indicating a pending arrival of the portable computing device or of a user of the portable computing device. 
     
     
       20. The predictive advertising server of  claim 19  wherein the advertisement is for a service within a pre-defined range of the third position or within a pre-defined region also containing the third position.